> Washington Post - May 10, 2005
>
> A GOP Plan to 'Fix' the Democrats
> By E. J. Dionne Jr.
> Grover Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform and a leading
> figure in both the DeLay and Bush political operations, chose more
> colorful post-election language to describe the future. "Once the
> minority of House and Senate are comfortable in their minority status,
> they will have no problem socializing with the Republicans," he told
> Richard Leiby of The Post. "Any farmer will tell you that certain
> animals run around and are unpleasant. But when they've been 'fixed,'
> then they are happy and sedate. They are contented and cheerful."
Grover Norquist and his neocon triumphalists are political idiots of the
nth degree. They fail to understand that capitalism requires the existence of a strong Democractic Party. As much as they hate Soros, at least Soros understands that the liberals are an important counter-revolutionary force that helps butress capitalism.
The anti-Democrat zealots fail to understand:
1) That the Democrats have already been neutered. They can't win presidential elections and they refuse to adopt policies that are significantly different than the Republicans. Many of the rank-and-file Democrats are having serious doubts about the party and some are leaving the party permanently.
2) The triumphalist Republicans refuse to see the results of the last election. Their candidate narrowly won. Most Kerry voters were merely voting against Bush. Nearly half of the population sat out the election once again. Widespread disapproval of institutions leads to more revolt among the population. If you can't work through the political process to stop the war or help the enviroment, then more drastic measure become palatable.
3) The level of outrage and dissatisfaction against the system is growing. The Democrats exist to channel the anger of the "unwashed masses" into ineffective electoral politics and reform. Rank-and-file workers are upset at their unions. Students are growing upset. Another war right now would probably spark a larger, slow burning uprising that could range from wildcat strikes to student protests to more sabotage and violence by activists. Many people have had it with electoral politics, so the manifestation of their anger will take a familiar course that won't make the Republicans very happy. ;-)
The Fox News crowd may soon get what they've feared.
Chuck0